Work Dispute at IDF

The Israel Defense Forces workers' organization, which represents 7,000 civilian employees, has scheduled informational meetings for the employees on Monday at bases from the Dan region in central Israel to the southern port city of Eilat. The organization claims that after 18 months of fruitless negotiations, it is declaring a labor dispute - an unusual step not taken in decades - because their rights, salaries and welfare have been harmed, as was discovered during the talks. The workers also claim the Treasury did not recognize the negotiations so no agreements were reached.

The organization says salaries for those in the middle and lower part of the pay scale were eroded and compensation for new employees was embarassing. It said privatization and outsourcing was also hurting those who are employed directly. It said the workers will start sanctions if their demands are not met.